The mayors of 37 European cities are meeting in the Vatican to promote peace in Syria. They argue that this is the first step to stop the refugee crisis.

They also thanked the pope for the work he is doing to put an end to this tragedy.

VIRGINIA RAGGI

Mayor of Rome

"I thank the pope for this important initiative. This confirms the moral and stimulating role his pontificate is having in social and humanitarian issues.”

The mayors come from different countries and political backgrounds. They have acknowledged the importance of humanitarian corridors and they criticized the passiveness of some European countries and the international community in dealing with this crisis.

ADA COLAU

Mayor of Barcelona

"An international community that, all too often, looks the other way in the face of crimes of war and repeated violations of human rights, suffered by our brotheres and sisters in Syria or in other, much less visible countries.”

MANUELA CARMENA

Mayor of Barcelona

"Spain should have taken in 17,500 Syrian refugees. Right now they have only covered one percent of the projected figure.”

The conference ends on Saturday, when they will meet with the pope and present to him their final conclusions.

According to the latest data, 2016 has been the most lethal year in the Mediterranean: 3,800 refugees have perished, as of November.

December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

Vatican launches new website for the Protection of Minors from sex abuse

December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

Vatican launches new website for the Protection of Minors from sex abuse

December 6, 2016. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has launched a website to provide the public with information about their mission: "the effective protection of minors and a commitment to ensure their human and spiritual development.”

Pope will consider to remind bishops to respond directly to sex abuse victims

2016-02-08

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors asked the Pope to remind all bishops and authorities in the Church of the importance of responding directly to victims and survivors who approach them; and the finalization of a Universal Day of Prayer.

On Saturday, the commission asked one of its members, Peter Saunders of Great Britain, who was abused by a priest when he was young, to temporarily suspend his collaboration "to reflect on how he can best contribute to the work of the Commission.”

In his first weeks of work, Peter Saunders threatened to leave the committee if he did not see any concrete action. He then requested the resignation of Cardinal George Pell. The prelate's record is currently under examination by an Australian royal court for failing to act with sufficient hardness to allegations of abuse when he was a young priest.

Peter Saunders also contested the appointment of Juan Barros as bishop of Osorno in Chile, because some suspected he hid information about the repeated abuses of the priest Fernando Karadima.

The commission stressed that its mission is not to analyze case by case reports, but to teach bishops how to do it and how to prevent vulnerable child and adults from abuse.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors asked the Pope to remind all bishops and authorities in the Church of the importance of responding directly to victims and survivors who approach them; and the finalization of a Universal Day of Prayer.

On Saturday, the commission asked one of its members, Peter Saunders of Great Britain, who was abused by a priest when he was young, to temporarily suspend his collaboration "to reflect on how he can best contribute to the work of the Commission.”

In his first weeks of work, Peter Saunders threatened to leave the committee if he did not see any concrete action. He then requested the resignation of Cardinal George Pell. The prelate's record is currently under examination by an Australian royal court for failing to act with sufficient hardness to allegations of abuse when he was a young priest.

Peter Saunders also contested the appointment of Juan Barros as bishop of Osorno in Chile, because some suspected he hid information about the repeated abuses of the priest Fernando Karadima.

The commission stressed that its mission is not to analyze case by case reports, but to teach bishops how to do it and how to prevent vulnerable child and adults from abuse.